Europe Holidays: York With Kids

Europe holidays are about castles, heritage building and giving kids a sense of time and history. Amongst the most impressive of the historical English cities is York. The entire township feels like a magical movie set of old buildings, historical ruins and cobbled streets all surrounded by the historical walls that encase the city. If your children love to play knights and princesses or want to really immerse themselves in living history, York with kids is a must.

While it may be small in size, York
certainly punches above its weight when it comes to family-friendly
attractions. Over the centuries, York has been the backdrop to conquests by the
Vikings, Romans, Normans and Tudors. Kids will love the historical atmosphere:
you can hardly walk down a cobblestone street without spotting an old Roman
wall, castle or medieval building. Framed by the largest intact city wall in
England, York is an approachable city for families as most attractions are
within walking distance of the city centre. If you’re after another destination
in the UK to visit after London, you can’t go past York with kids.

The
Destination: York With Kids

Although the historical significance of York
may only be appreciated by older children, littlies will feel like they’ve
stepped into a storybook when they explore York. Think brave knights riding out
on horses, soldiers shooting arrows from the city walls and kings visiting
imposing castles – York has a charming atmosphere with attractions to spark the
imagination of children. Sometimes overlooked by the larger British cities,
York is a family-friendly destination worthy of a standalone holiday – you can
easily spend up to a week in York with kids without running out of things to
do.

The
Attractions in York With Kids

Start a family visit with the hop-on,
hop-off bus tour; these cover plenty of ground without wearing out little feet.
Try to ride on buses with live commentary as the guides are more likely to
share child-friendly facts about the local sights.

If you’re in the mood for a stroll, start
at the impressive York Minster church before exploring the streets around
Stonegate. These are filled with pubs, quaint shops and historic buildings.

Don’t miss the famous Shambles with its
overhanging timber-framed buildings that are straight out of medieval times. Grab a
photo of the kids pushing the buildings up again.

Don’t miss a walk on the city walls; there
are entrance points at various gates throughout the city.

For a longer walk, children of all ages
will enjoy following the York Cat Trail (pick up a map from the York Lucky Cats store in the Shambles). Basically just one big feline treasure hunt, the map
provides clues as to the location of cat statues hidden away on buildings and
rooftops all over central York.

Ready for some history? The Jorvik museum is situated on the site of an archaeological dig that uncovered well-preserved
timber buildings of the Viking city of Jorvik, as York was known then. The
museum recreates what life was like 1000 years ago, complete with figures,
sounds and even smells.

The York Castle Museum is housed in a former prison on the site of the old York Castle, of which only
remnants remain. Targeted more at older kids, the museum delves deep into the
history of different periods. The most child-friendly exhibit is “Toy Stories”
which showcases toys from the past 150 years alongside a play area and
100-year-old carousel.

Other exhibits include a tribute to iconic
items from the 1960s, a recreated Victorian street of shops known as Kirkgate
and unusual collections of objects such as patchwork quilts, ice-cream makers
and wartime Christmas cards.

Given York’s long-held position as a rail
hub, it’s no surprise that the National Railway Museum is
one of the best in the country. Kids can clamber over trains from old-fashioned
steam engines, to postal carriages, royal carriages and the most recent
addition, a Japanese bullet train. With a café, outdoor playground and changing
exhibits for younger visitors, this museum ticks all the boxes.

[For
more travel tips on where you can ride the historical English railways, see the
suitcases&strollers story on the
historic town of Haworth.]

If your kids don’t mind getting a little
spooked, the York Dungeons are a gory
museum devoted to the underbelly of history. There are actor-led shows and
exhibits about The Plague, witch trials, torture chambers and the Gunpowder
Plot (Guy Fawkes himself was born in York). Given the subject matter and the
fact that the museum only runs on a 1 to 1.5-hour tour basis, this is a museum
for school-aged children and older.

If you’d like to venture further afield,
hire a car and drive through the Yorkshire Dales to seaside Whitby (the setting of Dracula), visit the
grand Castle Howard or explore the botanic gardens and picturesque scenery of
nearby Harrowgate.

Food
in York With Kids

Pubs are a fantastic option if you’re
eating out in York with kids. English pubs usually have a warm, cosy atmosphere
and quiet nooks that are ideal for families. If you’re lucky, you might even
find some games, books or toys. Kids menus tend to feature favourites like
bangers and mash, schnitzels and fish and chips and many offer a deal that
includes a drink and dessert.

Yorkshire is famous for its signature baked
goodies including fat rascals (a scone-like biscuit) and Yorkshire curd tarts.
The best place to try them is the iconic Betty’s Tearooms which has numerous locations throughout
York. Treat older children to a traditional afternoon tea at the St Helen’s
Square outlet, complete with silver service. If the thought of kids near fine
china gives you heart palpitations, grab a takeaway from the Betty’s shop and
bakery.

Self-catering? Stock up at one of the many mini
supermarkets in the city centre or look out for the monthly farmers’ markets.

Family
Friendly Accommodation in York With Kids

Located within view of the city walls, the Premier Inn Blossom Street offers good-value rooms for families of up to two children. Just
up the street is the grand gate known as Mickelgate Bar; watch the kids scamper
up the stairs to explore the city walls and peer through the battlements (leave
the stroller behind).

Located on the banks of the river Foss is
the Novotel
where up to two children stay and eat free. Unusually for central York, this
hotel has an outdoor playground and an indoor heated pool. Family packages also
include welcome gifts and child-friendly guides to local attractions.

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B&Bs and self-catering apartments are a
good option for larger families; check out websites like VRBO or Airbnb.

[For
more travel tips on family friendly accommodation on Airbnb, see the suitcases&strollers story here.]

The
Practicalities of York With Kids

Given its compact size, visiting York with
kids is a breeze. Stay within the city walls and you can walk everywhere or
there are buses if the kids go on strike. Footpaths can be narrow and many
streets are made of cobblestones, so a compact stroller is recommended. Car
hire is only necessary if you plan to take day trips beyond York.

If you’re planning to pack in lots of
attractions, consider a York Pass. It
provides cheaper entry than paying lots of separate entry fees.

Manchester Airport is the closest
international airport and York is a railway hub that can be reached in just
over two hours from London.

For
more travel tips on day trips out of London, see the suitcases&strollers story here.